Zelenskyy reveals US proposal linking NATO entry to Donbas withdrawal

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the United States has introduced a new diplomatic concept regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. During recent negotiations, American officials asked whether Kyiv would be prepared to withdraw its troops from the Ukrainian-controlled portion of the Donbas region in exchange for full membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This marks the first time such a specific trade-off has been raised by the US side.

The President emphasized that Ukraine has historically maintained a firm stance against ceding territory. He noted that he has frequently stated that Ukraine does not retreat and does not hand its land over to what he described as terrorists. However, the American query specifically asked if the calculus would change if Ukraine were to join NATO. Zelenskyy confirmed that this question of conditional withdrawal was raised for the first time during these discussions.

In addition to the territorial question, Zelenskyy outlined the components of a comprehensive security package currently under discussion with partners. This package includes concrete security guarantees from both NATO and the European Union. It also envisions the creation of a strong Ukrainian army, which would involve an appropriate number of troops, specific weaponry, and financial support committed for a defined period. Furthermore, the proposal includes a Prosperity Plan, which serves as a recovery plan backed by funds from clearly identified sources.

Zelenskyy indicated that the next steps depend on confirmation from the American side and other NATO counterparts. If these partners validate the proposal, the Ukrainian President said he would seek the opinion of the Ukrainian people on whether to accept the terms. He stressed that he does not have the right to make such a decision at his own discretion. He added that while the concept is on the table, the specific details do not yet exist and remain under active discussion.

This development follows comments made by Zelenskyy on November 11, where he stated that the United States is attempting to find various ways to modify proposals for resolving the territorial issue in the Donbas. The current diplomatic efforts come amid broader discussions about the future of the conflict and Ukraine's integration into Western defense structures.

The context of these negotiations is further complicated by remarks from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to reports from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Rubio privately told Western counterparts that he was uncertain whether the war could be concluded through negotiations or if Kyiv would be able to join NATO in the near future. His comments suggest a degree of hesitation within the US administration regarding the timeline and feasibility of Ukraine's NATO bid.

Rubio also offered a warning regarding the strategic goals of the Kremlin. He cautioned that even if Russia were to capture the entire Donbas region, it would not necessarily satisfy Moscow's broader territorial ambitions. This assessment underscores the complexity of the ongoing peace talks and the difficulty in reaching a final settlement that addresses the interests of all parties involved.

As the diplomatic process moves forward, the focus remains on securing tangible guarantees for Ukraine while balancing the political implications of territorial concessions. The President's statement highlights the shift from general discussions to specific, albeit unconfirmed, proposals that could significantly alter the trajectory of the war and the region's security landscape.